» in general
our trip started out with us getting stuck in traffic with the other million people who decided to go "up north" for the fourth of july but luckily there is a lot of daylight during the summer so while we arrived late to the trailhead (5pm), we were still able to hike 6 miles of the manistee river trail and set up camp before dark. the next day we hiked out and drove up to charlevoix and canoed the jordan river. we then continued on to wilderness state park at the tip of northern michigan and then on again to munising in the upper peninsula. the next day we hiked around pictured rocks national lakeshore and then we headed home at about 9:30pm to ensure we would not be stuck in traffic. got home at 3:30am.
» backpacking the manistee river trail, northern michigan
the manistee river trail is supposed to be one of the nicest backpacking trails in lower michigan. it follows the banks of the manistee river, passing by roaring creeks and even a rare lower michigan waterfall. wildflowers were abundant but probably the coolest thing was the backcountry campsites. some were perched high up on the river bank and some were down on the river plains. on this busy fourth of july weekend, people were camped out all over the place along the river but we still managed to find a nice secluded spot. we hiked in about 4 miles, set up camp, and then hiked another mile to a nice overlook of a sharp bend in the river.

the hike started in a mostly pine forest with dense ferns covering the ground, creating a sort of "shelf" layer about 2-3 feet off the ground. a couple of times we came upon some deer which were only visible when they hopped up above the fern.

the stained river bank.

fallen trees.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail.

setting up camp, checking out the river, a gurgling spring in the river, and the cool morning.

our tent (the yellow splotch) along the river.

making a fire.

a sharp bend in the river.

me up on the river bank (don't even attempt to find me unless you have successfully completed the first 9 where's waldo books) and megan on the trail above the river.

the forest, a "sucker" fish in the river, a rumbling stream that feeds into the river, and a field of flowers.

the forest and megan at the river bend.

misty morning.

packing up and heading out.

» jordan river, northern michigan
the jordan river is a small, fast moving, and winding river that keeps you on your toes (or running into log jams) the whole time. it's a pretty river with clean, cold water but the scenery all basically looked the same after awhile so i wouldn't recommend doing a trip longer than the two hour one we did unless you break it up by having lunch along the river or something.

the river, me piloting the boat, megan piloting the boat, and some ducks.

just as i was complimenting megan for not vomiting on this trip, this happened.

» wilderness state park, northern michigan
wilderness park is on a peninsula that sticks out from the northern tip of lower michigan. it has sandy beaches, shallow lake michigan waters, and marshes. i couldn't find the hiking trail i was looking for and we had already hiked/canoed that day so we didn't stay long.

the mackinac bridge, a beach, a wildflower, and a frog hanging out in a pond.

More Pictures: Days 2-3, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

 

< Back to Photos & Trip Reports

» all photo reports from lower michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fall 2012 - Summer 2013
Photos from around town in different seasons.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Fall 2011 - Summer 2012
Photos from around town in different seasons.
Fall in Ann Arbor, Michigan
October 2011
Fall photos, mostly from around the University of Michigan campus.
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A windy, wavey day on Lake Michigan brings the surfers out.
Nordhouse Dunes, Michigan
February 27 - 28, 2010
Winter camping in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness along Lake Michigan.
Lake Erie, Michigan
February 6, 2010
Checking out the ice on Lake Erie at Sterling State Park.
The Thumb, Michigan
September 6, 2009
Kayaking along the rocky shores of Lake Huron near Port Austin.
Spring in Ann Arbor, Michigan
April - May 2009
Photos of bright colors returning to campus and town.
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February 8, 2009
Checking out the ice around St. Joseph before it melted away.
Fall in Ann Arbor, Michigan
October - November 2008
A few attempts at capturing the beautiful fall colors.
Frozen Coast, Michigan
February 16, 2008
Exploring the frozen shores of Lake Michigan, from Warren Dunes to South Haven.
Northern Michigan
October 19 - 21, 2007
Enjoying the fall colors in northern Michigan.
West Coast, Michigan
July 21, 2007
Checking out a couple of the beaches and towns of Michigan's west coast.
Northern Michigan
June 21 - 22, 2007
Canoeing the Pere Marquette River and checking out the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.
Northern Michigan
July 1 - 4, 2006
Checking out Grand Haven, Silver Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Traverse City.
Michigan Spring
April 2006
Spring pictures from around the Ann Arbor area.
Michigan Winter
December 2005
Winter pictures from around the Ann Arbor area.
Northern Michigan
July 2 - 3, 2005
Hiking the Manistee River Trail, canoeing the Jordan River, and making a brief stop at Wilderness State Park.
The Arb, Ann Arbor
January 2005
Pictures from the first big snowfall in Ann Arbor in 2005 when I skied from home to the Arb and fell into the river.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
May 2003
A visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Favorites
My favorite photos from Ann Arbor.
Michigan Law Quad
Favorites
My favorite photos of the University of Michigan Law Quad.
 
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October 12 - 14, 2012
Unrelenting rain drenches our fall weekend trip.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
February 24 - 27, 2012
Winter photos from the Leelanau area, including Pyramid Point, Empire Bluffs, and Crystal Lake.
Spring in Ann Arbor, Michigan
April - May 2011
Flowers erupt and warm weather returns to open arms.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
February 28, 2010
Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes in the winter.
Frozen Coast, Michigan
February 20, 2010
Checking out the frozen lakeshore of Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes, St. Joseph, and Holland.
Fall in Ann Arbor, Michigan
October 2009
Fall color viewed mostly from a few tall buildings around town.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
May 16 - 17, 2009
Enjoying springtime in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Detroit, Michigan
March 7, 2009
Making a quick and rare trip to Detroit, checking out the haunting Michigan Central Station and a few other places.
The Thumb, Michigan
January 31, 2009
Hiking along Lake Huron to see the rock formations and lighthouse near Port Austin.
Nordhouse Dunes, Michigan
July 26 - 27, 2008
A quick overnight backpacking trip into the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area.
Winter, Ann Arbor, Michigan
January 2008
Winter photos from campus, town, and city parks.
North Manitou Island, Michigan
August 11 - 12, 2007
Backpacking on North Manitou Island, enjoying the sunset, and watching storms roll off from Lake Michigan.
Botanical Gardens, Ann Arbor
July 14, 2007
Checking out the flowers and interesting plants of the Univeristy of Michigan Botanical Gardens.
Ice Storm, Ann Arbor
January 17, 2007
Pictures from around town after an ice storm coated all the trees in ice.
South Manitou Island, Michigan
July 2, 2006
Hiking to the sand dune bluffs on the west side of South Manitou Island.
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan
February 27, 2006
Hiking and skiing around the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Michigan Fall
October 2005
Pictures from around the Ann Arbor area.
Sleeping Bear Dunes Area, Michigan
May 27 - 29, 2005
Kayaking on Lake Michigan near Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Winter Camping, Northern Michigan
December 2004
Winter camping near the Pine River.
Michigan
Favorites
My favorite photos from Michigan.
Turnip Rock, Michigan
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My favorite photos of Turnip Rock, from both summer and winter.
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My favorite photos of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
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